New Obesity Guidelines Emphasize Individualized Treatment

Over one third of adults in the U.S are now classified as obese

More than one third of adults in the United States today are classified as obese. Defined as a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2, obesity is
associated with extremely high medical costs, including absenteeism. In addition, comorbidities related to obesity are many of the leading causes of preventable
death: heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.4

Significant and clinically relevant improvements in cardiovascular disease risk factors such as glycemia, blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol
can be produced with modest weight loss, 5% to 10% of body weight, with even greater improvements observed with reductions of 10% to 15% of body
weight.4

As a heterogenous disease, obesity requires an individualized approach to treatment. The new evidence-based American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology Comprehensive Clinical Practice Guidelines for Medical Care of Patients with Obesity provides a
comprehensive treatment algorithm that includes whether the patient presents with “weight-related disease or complication that could be improved by weight loss
therapy.”1